from such words.” Must this objector’s statement be refuted? If not, what is the ruling on these words?

He replied:

Praise be to Allah, Lord of all worlds. This is not disbelief, for this supplication and others like it are intended to seek protection and safety through these words. A person thus shields himself from harm, just as someone shelters in a house from harm, heat, cold, and enemies.

This is like what appears in the well-known hadith from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—concerning the five injunctions that John son of Zechariah stood before the Children of Israel to deliver. He said:

“I enjoin you to remember Allah. The likeness of this is that of a man pursued by an enemy who enters a fortress and finds protection there from his enemy. Likewise, remembering Allah is the fortress that protects the son of Adam from Satan.”

Or words to that effect. He thus likened remembering Allah, through which a person protects himself from Satan, to a fortress in which he finds protection from an enemy. A fortress has a door, a roof, and walls.

Similarly, righteous deeds, including remembering Allah and other acts, are called a shield and a garment. Thus Allah Most High says:

“But the garment of righteousness—that is best.”

This is according to the better-known of the two interpretations.

Likewise, he said in the hadith:

“Take up your shield.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, against an enemy who has come upon us?” He replied, “No, rather your shield against the Fire: ‘Glory be to Allah; praise be to Allah; there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah; and Allah is greatest.’”

Another example is the preacher’s saying: “Clothe yourselves in the armor of piety before the armor of